Sanderson`s Back Sore

Start Goes To Fontenot

June 10, 1985|By Fred Mitchell.

Right-hander Scott Sanderson of the Cubs will miss his next scheduled start against the Montreal Expos Monday night because of soreness in his lower back.

Lefty Ray Fontenot will start Monday night and stay in the rotation until the severity of Sanderson`s injury is determined. Sanderson was examined by a doctor earlier in the week and re-examined Sunday.

Sanderson (3-1, 2.14 ERA) spent nearly two months on the disabled list last year because of lower back pain. He had his latest discomfort after his last outing June 5 against Atlanta. The following day, when he tried to take batting practice, Sanderson experienced more pronounced pain in his back.

``I don`t think he`s going to be able to do anything for awhile,`` said Cub manager Jim Frey. ``I`m afraid to say how serious this might be. Not until he goes out there and tries it. I don`t know what`s going to happen. The doctor said he didn`t think it was as severe as the problem he had last year. So we`re talking less than two months. He looks to me like he`s hurting. We`re hoping we can get him back by next weekend, but that`s no guarantee.``

-- Fontenot, who has had two previous starts, has been used mainly in relief this season. ``I wish they`d make up their mind and use me one way or the other,`` said Fontenot. ``It`s tough on me going back and forth.``

-- Center-fielder Bobby Dernier was a late scratch Sunday when loose ganglion nerve tissue on his left foot became inflamed, an aggravation of the same problem that sidelined him last week.

-- The Cubs will face New York, Montreal and St. Louis--the three clubs right below them in the standings--during the next 18 days. They will play the Expos four times, the Mets seven times and the Cardinals six times.

-- Pirate pitcher Rick Reuschel, who spent nearly 11 seasons with the Cubs, says it`s a myth that Wrigley Field is the toughest park in the league for a pitcher. ``That`s not true at all,`` said Reuschel. ``The wind is usually blowing in, and the grass slows the ball down for the infielders. It`s one of my favorite parks to pitch in.``

-- The Cubs` team in the Arizona Instructional League defeated Oakland`s club 5-3 Saturday for the league championship. Pitcher Larry Whitford led the Cubs` team with a 5-0 record. Top hitters were Ruben Castro

(.341), Dwight Smith (.336) and Manuel Lezcano (.307).

-- A double error by Nashville third baseman Joe Pitman led to a four- run seventh inning for the Iowa Cubs en route to a 9-3 victory Sunday. Dave Owen singled home two Iowa runs in the third. Jon Perlman (4-5) was the winner.